Office of Leadership Activities
815 North Broadway
Saratoga Springs New York 12866-1632
Student Club Charters & Constitutions
MISSION STATEMENT
Every Skidmore registered student club is asked to submit an Organization Mission
Statement. Sometimes included in your clubs charter, your mission statement should be
used within the organization to guide decision making when prioritizing activities and
goals, and can be used externally to inform the community about your purpose.
New clubs will need to submit their Mission Statement as part of their SGA recognition
request.
Existing organizations can update their mission statement by requesting a change
before Senate. Student Clubs are encouraged to meet with the SGA VP of Club
Affairs, prior to this request.
TIP: Prospective students and members OFTEN look at the club listed on the SGA website,
so take time to review your mission statement and keep it fresh to attract new members.
STUDENT ORGANIZATION CONSTITUTION
The Constitution of an club contains the fundamental principles which govern its
operation. The by-laws establish the specific rules of guidance by which the group is to
function. The process of writing a constitution will serve to clarify your purpose, create
your basic structure and provide the cornerstone for building an effective group. It will
also allow members and potential members to have a better understanding of what the
organization is all about and how it functions. If you keep in mind the value of having a
written document that clearly describes the basic framework of your organization, the
drafting of the Charter will be a much easier and more rewarding experience.
You should keep a copy of your organization's constitution on file in the Office of
Leadership Activities, as well as with your organization's files, SGA, and with your
organization advisor.
Helpful Hints:
• Draft the Club Chart with a sub-committee of 2-3 members, then present to the
general membership for approval or change.
• Keep it simple. Avoid confusing ‘legalistic’ terms.
• Use the outline below and/or examine other clubs’ constitutions as examples to guide
your process.
Terms:
Charter: A document of fundamental laws & principals that prescribes the nature,
functions, and limits of your organization.
By-Laws: Secondary set of laws or rules governing internal affairs of an organization, not
included in the Constitution, which are of such importance that they cannot be changed
without using formal procedure but are more easily amended than the Constitution. Bylaws may detail member responsibilities, meeting times, location, attendance
requirements, election procedures, etc.
Amendments: A formal statement of a revision or change to the constitution or by-laws
Sample Charter Outline:
This Charter has been adopted on <insert date> by a majority vote of all members.
ARTICLE I - Name, Purpose or Mission, and Affiliation Section 1. Name of club .
Section
2. Purpose or Mission of club (objective/s)
Section 3. club affiliation (local, state, national,
or international)
ARTICLE II- Adhere to College Policies Section 1. Statement that organization adheres
to college regulations, and policies (incl. Honor Code)
Section 2. Statement that
organization will adhere to all local, state, and federal laws
ARTICLE III - Membership Section 1. Membership requirements (state who may be a
member—Skidmore students, faculty, staff, 5-College students, etc.)
Section 2.
Membership privileges
Section 3. Requirements and privileges of active membership in
organization.
Section 4. Organization does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity,
color, national origin, religion or belief, ability, gender expression, or sexual orientation
ARTICLE IV - Officers Section 1. Titles of officers.
Section 2. Qualifications of officers
(must be matriculated Skidmore students in good academic standing and studying on
campus – not abroad)
Section 3. Duties of officers
ARTICLE V - Advisor Section 1.How the advisor is chosen.
Section 2. Expectations of
Advisor (how often advisor will meet with org, expected assistance, etc.)
ARTICLE VI - Election and Removal of Officers Section 1. Time of election (elections
should be held in April of each year)
Section 2. Election procedures.
Section 3. Procedure
for removal of officers
ARTICLE VII - Meetings Section 1. Frequency of regular meetings.
Section 2. Provision for
special meetings
ARTCILE VIII – Finances Section 1. Who has access to funds Section. 2. How are funds to
be used
ARTICLE IX - Quorum Section 1. Definition of a quorum (i.e., 2/3 majority, 50% + 1,
etc.)
Section 2. When is a quorum necessary (typically for voting on officers or major
decision making)?
Adapted from online resources maintained by The Office of Student Programs, Mount Holyoke College https://www.mtholyoke.edu/studentprograms/leadership/skill Last Updated 7/25/2014 ARTICLE X- Amendments and By-Laws Section 1. Provision for creating By-laws of the
Organizations.
Section 2. Provision for creating amendments to the constitution and bylaws
ARTICLE XI – Committees
Section 1. Outline any standing committees.
Section 2. Outline
procedures for creating new or short-term committees
ARTICLE XII - History
Section 1. State when the charter was created.
Section 2. State when
any and all changes were made
Adapted from online resources maintained by The Office of Student Programs, Mount Holyoke College https://www.mtholyoke.edu/studentprograms/leadership/skill Last Updated 7/25/2014 Adapted from online resources maintained by The Office of Student Programs, Mount Holyoke College https://www.mtholyoke.edu/studentprograms/leadership/skill Last Updated 7/25/2014